Press Releases

Making the Grade: Girls and Boys in the Global Classroom

Released on March 8th 2011

Fifty-one middle years students will be at the Strathclair Municipal Hall on Wednesday March 9, 2011 to learn about gender equality in education around the world. The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) is organizing its annual Generating Momentum Middle Years Conference in Strathclair - the final conference in a series of six throughout Manitoba.

The purpose of the Generating Momentum for Our World – Making the Grade: Girls and Boys in the Global Classroom conferences is to get youth informed and encourage them to take action when they return to their schools and communities.

Through a series of simulation games, circuit sessions and workshops, participants will learn about gender inequality in education, related to broader issues such as poverty, child labour and water and sanitation. Students will discover answers to important questions such as: How are the Millennium Development Goals on Education being met? Why do only 46% of girls in the developing world graduate high school and why do only 8% of these girls get to go to university or college? What are the factors preventing students from going to school? What can students in Manitoba do in their schools and local communities to help raise awareness?

Leanne Rowat, MLA for Minnedosa will address the students during the opening plenary. Students from Major Pratt School, Rivers Collegiate Institute, Neepawa Collegiate, Inglis School, Shoal Lake Community School, Erickson Collegiate, Waywayseecappo School and Strathclair School will attend the conference.

The morning session will include an opening plenary and circuit sessions on public speaking, event planning and leadership. In the afternoon, students will participate in creative workshops on theatre, digital photography, silk screening and video making. Media are recommended to stop by during the day for photo opportunities and to speak with MCIC staff and the student participants.

This program was made possible with financial support of the Government of Manitoba, and was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)